Algeria cancels Ghana friendly match because of Avram Grant

According in media reports in Algeria, the scheduled friendly soccer match between Ghana and Algeria was called off due to Avram Grant.

The match which was supposed to have taken place in Algeria in September has allegedly canceled so as to prevent the head coach of Ghana's national team, Black Stars, from entering into the Arab country.

Avraham Grant is an Israeliand with Algeria's new-found warm relationship with Palestine, the country is being pushed to make anti-Israel moves. Allowing the Israeli coach into the country to play in such a high-profile has been suggested to demean how close they Algerians hold their Palestinian relations.

In light of the frequent pageants of solidarity with Palestinians that have been taking place in Algeria recently, the Algerian soccer association feared that Grant's arrival to Ghana might infuriate the Algerian population.

Black Stars coach, Avram Grant

Ayman Gada, an Algerian journalist, wrote on his Facebook page on Monday: "The Algerian national team canceled the friendly match with Ghana because it refused to host Ghana's Israeli coach, Avraham Grant."

Sixty one-year old Avram Grant is a well-known Israeli soccer coach who has been training Ghana's national team for the last two years.

In 2007, he became one of the most famous coaches in the world after he was appointed as the manager of the British soccer team Chelsea.